Left call for a ban on domestic flights

Every day, 1,700 women and men put in an average of the distance between Zurich and Geneva on the air. It is the most popular among the Swiss Flight, it contributes the main part to the considerable number of domestic fliers: According to the Federal office for statistics, every year-more than 700'000 times the plane for travel within the country's borders.

according to the Basel SP-national councillor Samira Marti, reduced these Figures dramatically: to zero. "The Federal Council is responsible to create the necessary legal basis in order to allow air travel in the country are forbidden." So it is in a Motion, tabled by Marti at the end of last week, supported by around a dozen members of their group. A flight from Zurich to Geneva produce 150 times more CO2 than a train journey on the same route, argue the Signatories. Domestic flights are absurd and unnecessary, since Switzerland had "one of the best rail infrastructures in the world". For this reason, a ban was adopted, to – and only then pick up again when any new flight techniques with a lower CO2-emissions were available.

debate in Germany

The Left launched a discussion, which is about to run in Germany, and in the course of the climate debate to travel. Thus, the prominent Berlin-based mobility researchers Andreas Knie made last fall for a larger setting as compared with Switzerland different from German domestic flight market. Last month, in turn, the Bavarian Green rode an attack against Lufthansa. The reason for this flight connection, which keeps the Airline on the 150-kilometre route from Nuremberg to Munich.

The new SP-the Motion could pave the ground for concepts which are perceived as less radical.

Lufthansa is, of course, fought back. And also the Swiss, which offers the majority of the Swiss domestic flights, compared to the one on the left demanded the prohibition of hostile. The company considered the flights from Zurich to Geneva and Lugano, as a contribution to national cohesion: To offer the Romandie and the Ticino, so that an "optimal connection to the main departure waves from Zurich," according to a spokeswoman. "In the case of removal would have to be assumed that the passengers switch to neighbouring airports in the near abroad." This would affect the value creation in Switzerland, and bring the climate of no Use. to find

"Classic pflästerli policy"

A majority for their Motion, is not likely to Samira Marti fall into any case easily. Within the SP group, the initiative appears to be broad-based. Also Based out of the airport regions have signed it, about Priska Seiler, count, councillor of Kloten ZH. From the civil side, however, is likely to meet with resistance.

The Schaffhausen-based SVP national Council Thomas Hurter about speaks of the "classic pflästerli policy". At the Moment it is very fashionable to want to with Initiatives, "anything for the climate" will do. In fact, domestic flights accounted for only a very small part of the flight movements. "And I remember what an Outcry there was, as the Swiss a few years ago, most of the long flights from Geneva line." If you cap the flight connection to Zurich, you'll get the Geneva feel so Hurter. After all, the city is the site of many international organizations.

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it is Conceivable, however, that the new SP-the Motion could pave the ground for concepts which are perceived as less radical. After that, Thomas hardegger, SP national councillor and President of the airport, municipality of Rümlang ZH hopes for example. He finds the proposal for a domestic flight ban in principle, although a "very good". For more promising but the approach is a fundamental "shift in policy for short-haul flights". Hardegger is recommended to follow the strategies for the transport of goods. Accordingly, he calls in a call for a "relocation destination" for air travel in domestic.

Martis Motion will speak now as a next step, the Federal Council. With a positive opinion is hardly to be expected; Hardegger required a "shift in policy" rejects the government. Your answer, however, comes from August 2017. This was long before students were demonstrating on the roads of Europe for the protection of the climate.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 21.03.2019, 23:02 PM